Birch sap is not only tasty and healthy. It is recognized as the trendy drink of 2015 in European countries and America. The advantage for Russians is that they receive it in the same region where they live.

And as you know, vitamin products that grow in his region are much more useful for a person. The rules for its collection, use and storage, which contribute to the preservation of useful components in it, are not complicated. It is also important to respect the trees themselves, which provide such a valuable delicacy.

Birch sap - tasty, healthy, trendy

Birch sap is not only tasty, but also a very healthy drink. The juice that is sold in the store is simply delicious. There are practically no useful substances left in it after pasteurization.

Juice is obtained from two types of birches: drooping and spreading. Moreover, these trees are valuable not only for their sap. Both birch tar and activated carbon are obtained from them. The leaves and buds of these birch species are also relevant for the preparation of decoctions and tinctures. Xylitol is also obtained from them, which is used as a sugar substitute for patients with diabetes mellitus. Many vitamins and minerals are dissolved in birch sap and only 0.5 - 2% sugar.

Fashionable and creative

In drinks, as in everything else, fashion trends change every year. If last year coconut water was considered the most popular and fashionable drink in Europe and the United States, then in 2015 year the most fashionable drink was birch sap.

This relevance is associated with published research data conducted by the University of Lancaster (UK). The article describes the results of a study showing that regular consumption of birch sap leads to a rejuvenating and immunostimulating effect.

Long-term use, in addition, cleanses the body of toxins, helps to reduce the manifestations of arthritis, smooths out cellulite, and also lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Time of the "crying birch".

The best time to collect birch sap is in spring. More precisely, this is the time before the formation of the kidneys. When the snake begins to warm, from about March. The saping of birch is popularly called with beautiful words "crying birch".

It is at this time that it is best to collect juice, the greatest sap flow is observed. In the daytime, the juice goes better, at night it slows down.

Fresh March birch sap is transparent, colorless. Later, closer to mid-April, it gets less and less. The color takes on a brownish tint. But this juice is also good and tasty. Features of the choice of birch for collecting juice

Considering that for birch the very process of obtaining sap is traumatic, it is worth approaching its choice carefully. In addition, not every birch will produce the desired sap.

How to choose the right tree?

• Firstly, healthy birch is chosen.
• Secondly, it is advisable to choose a thick-bore and slightly inclined to make it easier for the juice to drain. Trees with thick trunks are more generous in sap. Several holes can be made in such a birch. In addition, they are easier to recover from the juice collection procedure.
• Thirdly, you should not collect sap from trees growing along the road, they conscientiously collect all the dust. They also easily absorb harmful substances, exhaust gases, environmentally harmful compounds.

Juice collection description

After the birch is selected, you need to drill a hole in the birch. You can replace it with an incision, but deep enough. The height of the hole from the ground should be no more than 1 meter. At this distance, the hole heals best. The hole should not be more than 2 cm in diameter. Its depth is 3-4 cm. A tube is inserted into the hole at an angle to the ground.

Some recommend inserting a thin bundle of last year's grass, washed in advance, since the juice flows better and the wound heals later. It is along this bundle or groove that the juice will flow into the substituted container. For containers, it is better to take an ordinary bottle. Due to the narrow neck, it is less likely to get into various debris and insects.

You can choose a branch with a thickness of 1-1.5 cm that is inclined downward and cut it off. Then lower the cut end into the bottle. Juice will flow through it.

The hole in the tree tends to tighten more quickly. Depending on the various reasons, the juice will drain from one to several days. For the entire period of spring juicing from birch, you can get from 10 to 40 liters.

If the sap stops flowing, do not torture the birch and make the hole deeper and deeper. Better to change the tree. When the collection of sap from the tree is stopped, the hole is clogged with a birch peg. It can be made from a birch twig. Then they cover it with clay or wax. You can use forest moss. The purpose of this is to save the birch from being damaged by bacteria or fungi at the site of injury.

You can learn about the features of collecting juice by watching the video.

Ate to competently approach the issue of collecting birch sap: choose the optimal time, a good tree, make a simple device for obtaining juice correctly, use it fresh or properly stored, then you can get a tasty, healthy and even medicinal drink. And besides, fashionable. And the cost of obtaining it is extremely minimal.

Surely you just tried this drink, but never collected it yourself. To remedy this situation, we decided to tell you in detail about how to properly extract birch sap.

General information about the drink

Before telling you about how birch sap is collected, I would like to tell you what this drink is.

Birch sap is the liquid that flows out of broken and cut birch branches and trunks, which occurs as a result of root pressure.

Surely everyone knows that birch (the second name of the drink we are considering) is a very valuable and nutritious product. This is due to the fact that it has a beneficial effect on the entire human body.

The composition of the drink and useful properties

In spring, sweet birch sap is mined due to the fact that it is very rich in vitamins and minerals. Experts say that this drink includes the following substances: various sugars, phosphorus, potassium, zirconium, sodium, nickel, calcium, barium, magnesium, strontium, aluminum, copper, manganese, titanium, iron and silicon. Scientists also found traces of nitrogen in it.

Drinking the drink helps to cleanse the blood, breakdown kidney and bladder stones, and increase metabolism. It also removes toxins and other harmful substances from the body.

Among other things, it is useful to drink birch sap for liver diseases, stomach ulcers, gallbladder pathologies, low acidity, rheumatism, scurvy, sciatica, arthritis, headaches, tuberculosis and even sexually transmitted diseases.

When to collect birch sap?

Juicing from birch begins in early spring, with the first thaws. This period lasts until bud break. However, it should be noted that the exact time of juice release is rather difficult to establish, since it depends entirely on weather conditions. Although the majority of collectors claim that "birch tears" start to run in mid-March.

To independently determine the beginning of the sap flow period, you just need to come to the forest and prick a birch with a thin awl. If, after this action, droplets of life-giving moisture are shown from the hole, then you can safely proceed to collecting it and further harvesting.

In our country, maple sap is very rare. And its volume is quite difficult to compare with birch. This is due to the fact that sugar maple grows only in North America, while other species are not fast growing enough to provide large amounts of life-giving drink.

Maple sap is widely used in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. As a rule, it is used to obtain a sweet syrup, which is often consumed with pancakes and added to various confectionery products.

Let's sum up

In this article, we answered in detail the question of how to make birch sap tasty and store it for a long time, and also discussed how it should be obtained without harm to trees. Thanks to these tips, you will definitely get a very tasty and healthy drink that will well quench your thirst and saturate the body with minerals and organic acids. Do not forget to just "treat" the slender beauty and treat the wound so that the tree does not die.

Birch sap is a unique drink, which contains many valuable trace elements and substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body.

It is not difficult to assemble it, the main thing is to choose the right tree, make a hole and carry out the procedure without the slightest harm to the forest.

Birch sap contains organic acids, fructose, glucose, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and other substances.

Its consumption in its natural form provides:

1. Improving the functioning of the circulatory system.
2. Alignment of hemoglobin levels.
3. Strengthening the nervous system.
4. Increased energy production.
5. Normalization of the genitourinary system.
6. Strengthening bones.
7. Better absorption of glucose.

Interesting fact: there is absolutely no fat and protein in such a drink.

When and where to collect birch sap?

It is advisable to start collecting birch sap when:

• there is an active melting of snow;
• the night frosts are over;
• the first buds began to appear;
• the thaw began.

From about March 15th, in the middle of the country, you can start collecting. It is advised to finish it after April 20 - 25.

Interesting fact: with the onset of darkness, sap flow in birches is reduced to a minimum.

To collect the most valuable drink, you need to choose the right place, it should be:

• removed from the city at least 3 - 5 kilometers;
• from the carriageway at 300 meters or more;
• away from any landfills and chemical facilities.

Advice: ideally to leave the city for 15 - 20 kilometers and walk deep into the forest.

How to collect birch sap?

The drink will be endowed with the most important and useful properties if properly assembled. The main thing here:

• competently make a hole in the barrel;
• prepare a clean juice container in advance;
• choose for this time between 10 am and 4 pm.

Note: at this time, the juice flows as intensively as possible.

How to grow more crops?

Any gardener and summer resident is pleased to receive a large harvest with large fruits. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get the desired result.

Plants often lack nutrition and minerals

It has the following properties:

• Allows increase yield by 50% in just a few weeks of use.
• You can get a good harvest even on low fertile soils and in adverse climatic conditions
• Absolutely safe

Juice collection rules

There are certain collection rules, thanks to which no harm is caused to birches, and the drink has all the declared qualities.

Need to:

1. Choose the strongest birch.
2. Do not take more than a liter of drink from one tree.
3. Do not use axes to make holes in barrels.
4. At the end of the collection, process the hole according to all recommendations.

Important: violation of the rules can cause the death of the birch or make it weak and prone to disease in the future.

How to choose a tree?

A suitable tree is a birch that has:

• trunk diameter is more than 25 centimeters;
• developed crown;
• strong and healthy branches;
• there are no obvious signs of infection with diseases;
• age over 4 - 5 years.

Important: a young tree after collecting the drink can dry out, since in the spring it itself needs elements and various substances for growth and development.

How to make a hole in a tree?

Making a hole in a birch tree is important according to all the rules. Recommended:

• Stand to the tree from the south side.
• Decide on the area to be pierced.

It is optimal if it is located 30-40 centimeters above the ground.

• Position the drill at an angle downward.
• Carefully pierce the barrel.

It is better to use an 8 - 10 mm drill for these purposes, which goes 2.5 - 3 centimeters deep.

• Place a bottle, oval bowl or plastic bag for juice.

Important: it is allowed to make 3-4 holes in one barrel, but the main thing is that the distance between them is at least 15 centimeters.

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How to cut a hole?

After collecting the juice, the hole in the birch needs to be processed. To do this, you need to use one of the following tips:

1. Cover it with moss.
2. Cover with wax.
3. Make a wooden cork.

Advice: for making a cork, it is advisable to take a thin twig and cut the required diameter with a knife.

Important: Failure to do so will result in bacteria entering the barrel.

Storage rules for birch sap

It is most beneficial to consume the juice fresh as soon as it is harvested. Later, especially during boiling, its properties are reduced by 2 times.

1. Pour into a glass jar.
2. Screw on the cover tightly.
3. Put in the refrigerator.

Important: it should not be consumed 48 hours after collection.

Storage recipes

Several recipes are known to increase the storage time:

With the addition of wine. Required:

• put 10 liters of birch drink on the fire;
• bring to a boil and add 900 grams of granulated sugar;
• cook for 20 - 25 minutes;
• after remove from heat, put 20 grams of zest in the composition and pour in one liter of white wine;

Better to take dry wine.

cool and put 3 grams of dry yeast.

Next, you need to remove the prepared drink in a darkened place for 4 days, then pour it into bottles and leave for one month. Subsequently, the prepared wine is allowed to drink in small quantities for 3 - 4 months.

Conservation. Cooking steps:

• 220 grams of granulated sugar is placed in 2 liters of birch sap;
• after mixing, add 10 grams of citric acid;
• everything is poured into glass jars;
• pasteurized;
• rolls up.

In canned form, the shelf life is six months.

With the addition of yeast and honey. It is taken:

• birch sap - 10 liters;
• lemon - 4 pieces;
• yeast - 45 grams;
• melted honey (natural) - 35 grams;
• granulated sugar - 10 grams.

Manufacturing steps:

1. Lemons are completely squeezed into birch sap.
2. Honey, yeast, sand are added to the drink and everything is mixed.
3. Poured into cans.
4. It is covered with a lid.
5. Placed in a refrigerator for 10 days.

After this time, the drink can be drunk. Its shelf life, provided that it is kept in a cool and dark place, is 2 months.

Birch sap is a completely natural product that contains many unique and beneficial components for human health. Properly organized collection and storage allow you to enjoy the drink for a long time with benefits for the whole body.

Blitz - tips:

• never make deep and large holes in birch trees;
• for collection, it is optimal to choose the dates from March 15 to 30 and go to the forest closer to noon;
• do not injure thin and young trunks.

Nature is very generous to a person, giving him not only useful, but also extremely tasty gifts. One of them is considered to be a healing liquid extracted from the trunks of slender beauties-birch trees. When to collect birch sap and whether it is suitable for long-term storage, we learn from this article.

When birch sap is harvested

In the language of many Slavic peoples, the name of the month of March is pronounced as "berezen", "berezin". It is in the spring, as soon as the thaw begins, that black and white birches begin to cry, releasing live, tasty and healthy juice.

When should you start harvesting this unusual liquid crop? Each region has its own terms: southern - from mid-March to early April, northern - in April-May.

Having determined the moment, it remains to choose suitable trees and start stocking up on juice. The main thing is not to delay, because it stands out for only 1-1.5 weeks. As soon as blossoming leaves were noticed on the birch, the collection must be stopped.

How to properly collect a healthy drink without harm to the tree

Since ancient times, collecting birch sap has been considered the responsibility of women and children. Men regarded this business as fun, but from time to time they accompanied their wives and kids into the forest, inserting thin wedges into the trunks of birches, along which a healing drink flowed down.

Tell me when is birch sap harvested? I love this drink since childhood, and last year we bought a summer cottage not far from a birch grove. Now, instead of purchased juice, made of who knows what, we want to harvest it ourselves.

Many of us still remember the time when there were large three-liter bottles with a translucent sweet drink on the shelves in the store, and birch branches flaunted on the label. This health drink has not disappeared from the shelves even today, in most cases it simply "migrated" into paper tetrapacks, but unfortunately, one can argue about the quality of the juice. Unscrupulous manufacturers often add various preservatives and other ingredients that increase shelf life, but do not improve taste at all. Therefore, if possible, lovers of this nectar prefer to harvest it on their own: this way you can always be sure that the product is 100% natural. Since the collection period is very limited in time, in order to be in time and at the same time not harm the tree, you need to know when and how to properly collect birch sap.

When can you start collecting juice?

Harvested in early spring, the exact time depends on the place where the trees grow and the climate. In the southern regions this is the beginning or middle of March, and in the northern latitudes it is even April. Sap flow is activated in the tree when the snow melts and positive values \u200b\u200bprevail on the street. You can visually determine the readiness of a birch tree to give a healing drink by the swollen kidneys.

It is important to have time to collect the juice before the buds begin to open and leaves appear (usually two weeks).

If in doubt, you can check to see if the sap flow has started. To do this, a small hole must be made in the tree with a sharp awl. If nothing stands out from it, then you need to wait a little longer, covering the wound with garden pitch. A droplet that appears from the hole indicates the beginning of the juice collection season.

How to collect correctly?

When stocking up on a delicious drink, do not forget about the tree itself. In order not to harm, you should follow these rules:

1. It is possible to "grind" life-giving sap only from mature trees - young birches themselves need it for growth.
2. The minimum size of the trunk of a birch tree, from which sap can be taken, should be 20 cm in diameter. Only one hole is allowed on such a tree.
3. In older and larger birches, for every 10 cm of trunk diameter, you can additionally make one more hole, but do not get carried away, otherwise it will be difficult for the tree to heal many wounds.
4. It is better to make the hole obliquely with a downward slope, at a level of no more than 50 cm from the ground, using a drill with a drill size of up to 10 mm - such wounds heal quickly and almost without traces. The depth of penetration is from 2 to 3 cm. The bark in the selected place must first be removed.
5. Insert the groove into the hole made and place the container under it.

It is better to take a liter of juice from each tree than to drain it all from one birch, because in this case there is a risk of the tree's death. At the end of the procedure, the holes should be covered or covered with a wooden peg.